Monday, 1 August 2011

JERUSALEM - A LEBANESE soldier was wounded on Monday in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops along the border between the two countries, Israeli military sources told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The sources said the incident occurred near the Dan kibbutz in the far north of Israel and close to the town of Kiryat Shmona.

The incident occurred when one Lebanese soldier opened fire on Israeli troops carrying out work on a border fence, the sources said. Israeli troops then returned fire, hitting a Lebanese soldier. -- AFP

Clashes broke out there after the IOF came in to make arrests. The army said the young men were killed by 'uncontrolled' gunfire.

Abu Zuhri said the lethal raid calls for increased resistance in the West Bank and called on the Palestinian Authority security agencies to stop persecuting resistance forces and confiscating their weapons.

The fact that the attack took place on Monday the first day of the holy month of Ramadan demonstrates Israel's ''aggressive nature'' that lacks respect for the sanctities and setiments of the Muslims, Abu Zuhri pointed out.

In a separate statement, Hamas MPs in the West Bank also condemned the killings as a ''heinous crime''.

The MPs mourned the martyrs; Mutasim Adwan and Ali Khalifa'.

The statement is concluded with calls to the Palestinian factions to work to reconcile and achieve unity at the soonest time possible, saying national unity is the best response against Israel's continued attacks. more

Egyptian Authorities prevented 450 people from entering Egypt through the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Sunday, despite the recent opening of the crossing. Meanwhile, Gaza authorities have decided to allow vehicles to be brought in from Egypt for commercial sale.

The Egyptian action at Rafah is likely connected to the security situation in Egypt. Violence in the Sinai has increased recently, with violent conflicts in Rafah among other locations.

The denial is not permanent, and officials say individuals who were blocked will be given priority on Monday. Also, those crossing for educational purposes or in need of medical care will have priority this week as well.

The crossing was re-opened in May, but Egyptian authorities have been tightly controlling the number of individuals allowed to pass through each day.

In other news, the minister of transportation in Gaza announced a decision to allow vehicles in from Egypt. The decision is part of an effort to reduce vehicle prices in the Gaza Strip.

The illegal Israeli blockade dramatically reduced the number of vehicles brought into Gaza, causing prices to double. more